Santa Teresa Wilderness

Located in the Coronado National Forest in Arizona.

The Santa Teresas are located on the Coronado National Forest, about 30 miles west of Safford. They are characterized by a network of rugged mountains, deep canyons and large mesas. Elevations rise from less than 4,000 feet in the canyon bottoms to nearly 7,500 feet at the summit of Cottonwood Peak.

The central part of the wilderness is dominated by Holdout and Mud Spring mesas. Holdout Canyon typifies the Santa Teresas because its extreme ruggedness and abundance of caves and alcoves provide extraordinary solitude. The area has several good foot trails leading to major points of interest, but is at present little used due to its remote location and somewhat difficult access over many miles of unpaved roads.

A wide variety of game and non-game animals are present, including black bear and peregrine falcon. The wilderness, consisting of 26,780 acres, is generally dominated by chaparral vegetation with stands of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir along the north flank and crest of Cottonwood Peak.

For further information contact: Safford Ranger District - Coronado National Forest